11 arrests made in raids after yearlong probe

Friday

Jan 31, 2014 at 12:01 AM

Francisco "Paco" Felix of Mountain House was one of 11 people - including two men from Stockton - who were arrested Wednesday in a series of raids that culminated a yearlong investigation involving wiretaps, confidential informants and purchases of automatic weapons and drugs, according to news reports.

The Record

Francisco "Paco" Felix of Mountain House was one of 11 people - including two men from Stockton - who were arrested Wednesday in a series of raids that culminated a yearlong investigation involving wiretaps, confidential informants and purchases of automatic weapons and drugs, according to news reports.

Felix was considered a ringleader, according to a story in the Merced Sun-Star, which quoted federal authorities.

Raids were conducted early Wednesday in Stanislaus and Merced counties as well as San Joaquin County on a large-scale drug-trafficking operation believed to have ties to the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico.

In addition to the 11 arrests, authorities seized 90 pounds of methamphetamine, nearly 60 pounds of marijuana, at least three firearms and more than $20,000 in cash, according to the report, which cited U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

A search warrant affidavit unsealed in U.S. District Court this week indicated the investigation centered on adjoining horse ranch properties in Patterson owned by Augustin Ramirez, 62, who was among those arrested.

The investigation involved dozens of agencies in the Central Valley and was coordinated by the California Department of Justice's Mountain and Valley Marijuana Investigation Team, the report said.

Authorities also said that Gerardo Barraza, 19, and Martin Rubio, 49, of Stockton were among those arrested. Also named were Alejandro "El Gallo" Martinez and Miguel "Mili" Felix of Ceres, Sergio Modesto and Antonio Ramirez of Turlock and Rafael Alcauter, 49, and Martin Lopez. Ages and places of residence weren't available for all those arrested.

The report, citing court documents, said that among other evidence in the case, an informant met in Stockton with an unnamed "gun broker" from Manteca to purchase firearms on Sept. 24 and was told the seller could get AK-47s and Uzis from gang members in Stockton and Manteca without any trouble.

Among the places searched in the raid were one in Stockton, one in Tracy and one in Mountain House, the report said.